Charging Ahead

GT researchers strive to solve tomorrow's energy problems.

Article originally appeared in Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. Written by Mark Anderson.

If big problems demand big responses, then it’s only appropriate that the nation’s biggest engineering school steps up to address perhaps the nation’s biggest engineering challenge: energy.

Few sectors hold a greater direct impact on our economy—and nearly every aspect of modern life. Energy fuels our household comforts and conveniences, our vehicles, manufacturing and communications. And our demand for power to support our way of living and doing business is rising rapidly. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that an increasing global population and growing economies will drive energy demand up more than 50 percent by 2035.

Reliably and affordably powering the present and near future—while still maximizing America’s energy independence and minimizing the risks of climate change—makes for an incredibly difficult puzzle to solve. But it’s also a challenge tailor-made for Tech, an institution known as much for its scientific and technological innovation as it is for its leadership on issues of great societal importance.